Parents who had to take time off work when schoolteachers were on strike got a preview of challenges facing them in the long school summer holidays.

This government has decided that looking after children should be left to the family, and are cutting the help that many mums and dads have relied on, whether it is the sure start children’s centre or the childcare tax credit.

They say they are setting families free, but mothers I talk to felt free to organise their lives when they got help with looking after children. The last government accepted responsibility to help families care for children through child benefit and tax credits, and by building sure start centres and childcare places.  And it was not just formal provision, it was also by building playgrounds and putting in summer play schemes which help people to give their kids opportunities for rewarding play during the long summer weeks.

There’s no getting away from it, as we live longer changes have to be made to the pension system but we need to be sure the changes are the right ones.  The last government through negotiating with the public sector workers changed pensions to be more affordable without strikes. 

We may need to do more but this government does not encourage people to trust it when it makes swift decisions and then changes its mind.  Just a year ago the coalition agreement promised no further increase in women's retirement age until after 2020, but now they will keep us all at work till 66 before then. No wonder teachers feel uncertain and worried for their futures. When government ministers announce decisions while negotiations are continuing public servants react. 

Parents and teachers both have a right to expect the government to build trust as well as facilities for children.  Let's see if they do..